[9:43] Murder victims.

[9:47] Whereas the death

[9:48] of a murdered loved one is a difficult experience

[9:51] that robs immediate and extended family members

[9:54] and creates overwhelming challenges to fill the void

[9:56] that their absence creates.

[9:59] And whereas the friends

[10:00] and families of murder victims cope with grief

[10:03] through a variety of support services, including counseling,

[10:06] crisis prevention, professional referrals

[10:09] and assistance in dealing with the criminal justice system.

[10:13] And whereas the City of Yuma joins

[10:15] with Yuma County Victims Rights Committee, as well

[10:17] as the victim service programs, criminal justice officials

[10:21] and concerned citizens throughout the county,

[10:24] to remember the anguish caused by homicide

[10:27] to honor the courage of survivors

[10:29] and to strive to help the survivors rebuild their lives.

[10:33] Now therefore, I Douglas J. Nichols do hereby proclaim

[10:36] September 25th, 2026 as the National Day of Remembrance

[10:40] for murder victims in the city of Yuma.

[10:42] And in doing so, I encourage all citizens

[10:45] to join me in remembering the victims who have been murdered

[10:47] and their families and to support programs that help those

[10:51] who have been devastated through these violent tragedies.

[10:54] It's a very important thing for us to, as a community,

[10:56] to make sure we're staying sensitive to.

[10:58] So I appreciate this proclamation coming forward.

[11:01] And I think there's some people I'm presenting this to.

[11:04] Do we have a group here today?

[11:08] The chairman? No. Okay.

[11:10] You're the chairman or am I presenting this to you?

[11:12] Yes, sir. Okay.

[11:14] I dunno if there's any other advocates. Okay.

[11:18] You wanna just do it right here? Sure. Okay. We can do that.

[11:23] Does that work with pictures? Yes, please. Okay.

[11:28] I'd appreciate, that'd be great.

[11:49] Thank you.

[11:56] All right. Our second proclamation, I'm sorry.

[11:59] Presentation this evening is our Forefront Ed update

[12:02] and I turn the meeting over to Dr.

[12:04] Remy Martiz Ktu, our executive director. Thank

[12:07] You.

[12:16] Thank you. Good evening. Good evening Mayor.

[12:19] Members of the Council City leadership.

[12:23] Thank you for having me.

[12:25] I want to begin with a, with an idea.

[12:28] Mayor Nichols wants share with me

[12:31] because it frames everything I have to say.

[12:34] He observed that nothing, that nothing

[12:38] because nothing significant is ever built without first

[12:42] holding a positive vision of it.

[12:44] That the things we're doing are

[12:47] by definition not just real when we decide to pursue them.

[12:51] A region like a city becomes what its leadership has

[12:55] to the confidence to imagine forefront ED exists

[12:59] because some years ago that kind of vision was applied

[13:02] to a simple question, what does it mean

[13:05] that Juma sits precisely where two nations

[13:08] and two states meet?

[13:11] I'm here tonight not to sell you anything,

[13:13] but to report on what has become of that vision plainly,

[13:16] because you are right to ask, allow me a moment.

[13:20] As a researcher rather than an advocate,

[13:22] every city has an economic nature determined

[13:25] by geo geography.

[13:27] Juba's nature is by national, the daily life of the city,

[13:31] the jobs, the tax base, the commerce that fan source, street

[13:35] or police or fire service

[13:37] is inseparable from the constant movements of good

[13:40] and people among California, Sonora and Juma.

[13:43] This is not a matter of policy.

[13:45] Preference is simply what Juma is.

[13:49] Let me offer a single figure.

[13:51] Arizona and Mexico trade more than $20 billion a

[13:54] year across this border.

[13:56] And Yuma sits on the corridor that carries.

[14:00] There is not this commerce, this is daily movement

[14:03] that helps fund the various service this council is towards.

[14:07] The fuller pictures is on the screen,

[14:09] but that one number makes the point.

[14:12] And that facts carry an obligation.

[14:14] A city whose prosperity depends on cross-border flows must

[14:18] tend to the relationship that keeps those flows open

[14:21] or it leaves its own economic foundation to chance.

[14:26] Our region's economy runs on three distinct engines.

[14:30] Now non duplicating another

[14:33] greater jum Economic development corporation

[14:35] recruits employers and creates jobs.

[14:38] Greater juma poor authority builds, builds sports

[14:41] and freights infrastructure.

[14:43] And for four 80 tends to devi national

[14:46] and federal relationship

[14:47] that keep the corridor stable enough for the order

[14:50] to to, to succeed.

[14:52] Here's the simplest ways I can put it.

[14:55] GDE, the C brings investment GPA build the crossing

[14:59] that moves it and forefront Ed keeps the border those

[15:02] crossing the pen open, stable, and predictable.

[15:05] We do sell industrial land. We do not package initiatives.

[15:09] We do not operate port gates.

[15:11] The lanes are separate by design and

[15:14] because they're separate, they train one another.

[15:17] We're not a Ford engine competing for the same work.

[15:20] We keep the road that the other two drive unclear.

[15:24] This is where the mayor's vision becomes

[15:26] the daily discipline.

[15:28] A border location is not by itself an advantage.

[15:32] It becomes one only

[15:33] through good neighborhoods, through the patient.

[15:37] Permanent work of keeping open, productive channels

[15:40] of communications where our counterparts across the line,

[15:45] a project that needs coordinated

[15:46] and event a signature that needs to happen, a matter

[15:50] that needs an answer quickly.

[15:52] A region that sits in the delta of the Colorado River shared

[15:55] by two nations cannot afford to to channel to those channels

[15:59] to go quiet.

[16:01] And what I want to be candid with you,

[16:03] even in a complex political climate,

[16:06] perhaps especially in one, those ties have a stay active.

[16:11] You can see it in the details.

[16:13] Invitations answer, ator attended agreements,

[16:18] signed request to collaborate in tourism culture in regions.

[16:22] Larger projects meet on both sides of the line.

[16:27] That is not luck is maintained deliberately.

[16:30] So the relationship are already there

[16:33] the moment we need them.

[16:35] Let me offer a few concrete example, not as a list

[16:39] of accomplishment, but as a evidence of a principle

[16:42] that diplomacy

[16:43] or paradi diplomacy done well is

[16:46] what makes large things possible.

[16:48] Before there are in individual

[16:51] the human space board is the clearest case is not yet

[16:54] as finished reality.

[16:56] And that is precisely the point.

[16:58] Air space coordination by national consensus,

[17:01] cross-border regulatory understanding,

[17:04] this is the groundwork that must exceed

[17:05] before such a project can ever touch ground.

[17:09] And the groundwork is moving.

[17:11] This past June at the Arizona Mexico Commission plenary

[17:14] Mayor Nichols sign a joint statement of intent

[17:16] that put this region at this Sonora

[17:18] counterpart on the same page.

[17:21] Next month on October 14th in Mexico City,

[17:24] we take the next step, the signing of A MOU

[17:27] with this Department of Science of technology

[17:29] with the Mexican Pharaoh government

[17:31] and an instrument built for project of long-term vision

[17:35] and grow anchor in regional research institutions.

[17:39] The mayor and human delegation will represent for the,

[17:42] will be present for the signing.

[17:46] The same logic runs through the rest

[17:47] of our work high level advocacy to modernize our port

[17:51] of entry, positioning our foreign trade zone

[17:54] with cross border supply chains, alongside with G-D-Y-D-C

[17:58] and regular executive briefings on the U-S-M-C-A

[18:01] review and trade policy.

[18:03] So these region leaders are never cut unprepared

[18:05] by chiefs far beyond our borders.

[18:10] And there's one more effort I want to name

[18:12] because it's about people rather than infrastructure.

[18:17] We're not forming what we all call, we,

[18:19] we call the forefront academic circuit for this purpose.

[18:23] We may say the ED becomes AC

[18:26] anor at Arizona Western College

[18:29] and joined by regional universities

[18:31] on both sides of the line.

[18:33] It aligns talent and research so that the workforce is ready

[18:36] before the industries arrive.

[18:38] It is one more way of building this regional, socially,

[18:41] this region, socially the quiet work that led us grow

[18:44] and grow with security.

[18:48] And now one last note on this vein, which I share

[18:51] with some pride on that re on on, on the region's behalf.

[18:55] Even the mayor's international bike ride together

[18:58] with the forefront it is regional model has now been

[19:01] accepted into the academic record

[19:04] in work producing collaboration with Mayor Nichols

[19:06] and publish by Aire, Mexico National Association

[19:10] for the Science of Regional Development.

[19:12] What we practice here is being a study

[19:17] our structure costs, let me be precise

[19:19] because Jews steward of public money

[19:22] and the question is a fair one.

[19:25] I will not stand here. I argue that forefront Ed is cheap.

[19:29] I will argue something different

[19:31] that every dollar this region

[19:33] and trust to us is treated as valuable

[19:35] because every dollar counts for front ed is a small ag

[19:41] that works in person on both sides of the line.

[19:44] And it's built to make each

[19:45] of those dollar reach further than it otherwise will.

[19:49] The truer measure is not what we cost,

[19:53] but what we protect for fronted is what allows this region

[19:57] to speak with one coordinated voice

[19:59] to work California Sonora, Baja, California

[20:01] and the me Mexican federal government as a whole,

[20:05] rather than in fragments,

[20:08] a dollar spent keeping the co stable

[20:10] and the region aligned is a dollar

[20:12] that protects every other dollar.

[20:13] You mean best in infrastructure and economic development?

[20:17] It does not compete with city services.

[20:19] This council rightly prioritize.

[20:22] It helps protect the tax base that funds them.

[20:27] So I will end where I began.

[20:30] This organization is the product

[20:33] of a vision this council leadership had the confidence

[20:35] to hold before it was proven.

[20:38] The vision to look at where Yuma sits

[20:41] and to see in that location an opportunity

[20:45] that only good neighbors can unlock.

[20:48] I'm grateful to be part of seeing it true and it's junior.

[20:52] It's a junior privilege to report to you tonight on

[20:56] what the vision has built

[20:58] and on what is still building a region that prosper

[21:02] and prosper with security.

[21:05] Thank you.

[21:08] Thank you very much. And apologize for interrupted

[21:10] by storm warning, but

[21:13] There you go.

[21:14] Part of part of what happens, that's the

[21:16] Forefront of the Region, right?

[21:18] Throughout the region, right? Yes. No problem.

[21:20] Thank you very much for your presentations.

[21:21] Council, have any comments or questions

[21:23] or thoughts to share?

[21:27] I I'll just say I appreciated when we went

[21:30] to her herma seal, your, your diplomacy

[21:34] and your your connectedness was extremely apparent

[21:37] everywhere we went from the, the governor's meetings to the,

[21:42] to the conference, to city hall.

[21:46] I don't know if you planted everybody everywhere

[21:48] that we ran into maybe,

[21:49] but every corner we took there was somebody else

[21:52] that you knew and that you knew well that held,

[21:54] that held some very strong position.

[21:56] So it's, to your point in your presentation,

[22:00] diplomacy is relationships

[22:02] and your relationships really help build and in

[22:05] and in my estimation is the reason why the,

[22:08] the Spaceport MOUs went as fast as they did, I think.

[22:12] And, and I walked in to Mexico City, Herman Seal by myself.

[22:16] I think we'd still be waiting.

[22:19] So I appreciate your, your leadership

[22:21] and your commitment to our, our region

[22:24] and really looking forward to the, a good bike ride,

[22:26] but also a good trip to Mexico City to, to sign the the MOU

[22:32] and move the space port forward.

[22:33] Yeah, thank you mayor for your words

[22:35] and your confidence in in the work the forefront Ed,

[22:38] because thinking in terms of the region is always complex,

[22:44] but I think that the commitment

[22:47] that the leadership here in the city

[22:49] is, is, is great for it.

[22:50] And I'm looking forward for seeing you all on in Mexico City

[22:53] and always on the bike ride.

[22:55] And we're expecting record breaking this, this, this,

[22:58] this 10 edition.

[23:01] Thank you very much. Appreciate your presentation.

[23:04] All right. We are on to our rest of our agenda.

[23:07] We have eight items on our motion

[23:10] consent agenda this evening.

[23:11] As council have any comments, questions,

[23:12] or conflicts on these items?

[23:16] All right. Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion

[23:19] to approve Ms. Council member Smith.

[23:22] I move to approve the motion consent

[23:24] agenda as recommended.

[23:26] Second, I have a motion by council member Smith, a second

[23:30] by council member Morris to approve the motion

[23:32] consent agenda as presented.

[23:34] All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed nay.

[23:38] And the motion carries.

[23:40] We have a new, new section of our agenda this evening.

[23:42] The motion action agenda.

[23:44] And this is due to a recent legislative change.

[23:48] And so we will handle each item independently.

[23:51] We will not handle them collectively.

[23:54] So we have two items on tonight's motion.

[23:56] Action agenda and council have any conflicts

[23:59] to declare on the very first

[24:02] MC 20 26, 1 72 or any questions?

[24:07] Alright, hearing, I'll entertain a motion

[24:09] to approve MC 20 26 1 72.

[24:15] Mr. Mayor Council Smith, I move

[24:16] to approve MC 20 26 1 72.

[24:21] Second Before we get there, is there,

[24:26] is there anything we need to say legally about this emotion?

[24:30] Or does this pretty much stand on its own?

[24:33] Pretty much stands on its own. Mayor.

[24:35] Okay. Thank you very much. So I have a motion

[24:36] by council member Smith, a second by council member Watts

[24:39] to approve MC 2026 dash 1 72.

[24:43] All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed nay.

[24:47] The motion carries. We're on to

[24:50] mc 2026 dash 1 73.

[24:52] Does council have any comments or conflicts?

[24:55] Mr. Mayor, council Member Smith, I

[24:57] Just have a question for this item in particular.

[25:01] If, I know that Rodney gave a great update last night,

[25:05] but if you could just kind of review

[25:08] what this means moving forward.

[25:11] If this is to be approved, please

[25:12] Glad to.

[25:14] Mr. Merrick City council is Rodney

[25:16] Short, deputy City Attorney.

[25:17] This is the motion in front of you.

[25:20] Tonight's motion's really about direction.

[25:22] It's about direction that you guys are gonna give you

[25:25] control, litigation, you control the policies for the city

[25:29] that the administration

[25:30] and your city attorneys must, must go through.

[25:34] This is the first step of, of it could be two

[25:36] or three steps kind of depending on the strategies

[25:40] that we develop for you.

[25:42] You guys develop and give us input on for other stuff.

[25:45] And this has to do with the record of decision

[25:47] for the Colorado River Operating Plan for the next 10 years.

[25:50] And specifically in the next two years.

[25:52] As stated in the motion,

[25:54] there's already litigation pending from the state of Nevada

[25:57] that is challenging this some of our other

[26:02] colleague type boards across the state,

[26:05] namely the Arizona RECONSULTATION Committee

[26:08] and the Central Arizona Water Conservation District,

[26:12] which is operates the cap, the Central Arizona project,

[26:16] have authorized very similar things to investigate.

[26:20] And it kind of looks like

[26:22] what we're doing is we're gotta look at the possibilities

[26:24] of, of how to handle this situation.

[26:26] 'cause it's not very good from Arizona.

[26:28] We're only a couple

[26:29] of priorities away from this affecting not only city of Yuma

[26:33] but the region as a whole.

[26:34] So we think, we know the water districts are also

[26:37] contemplating this at their boards.

[26:38] Very similar to you guys.

[26:39] And we know that you talk

[26:41] to water District board members all the time.

[26:43] So you know, the first thing you're sort of looking at,

[26:45] there's many pathways here.

[26:46] First one could be a litigation, it could be

[26:49] that we're gonna go this way, you're gonna give direction.

[26:51] We're gonna go out and look to see if

[26:53] that's the best strategy of maybe filing an independent

[26:55] lawsuit, maybe joining an existing litigation, maybe joining

[27:00] as amicus.

[27:02] Or we could just seek intervention in,

[27:04] in a different related cases there.

[27:06] Alternatively, you could say, you know,

[27:09] let's look at the administrative

[27:10] and let's go through the administrative record

[27:12] to see if there's anything we can do

[27:14] to do an administrative challenge in Washington

[27:16] DC over this one.

[27:18] And kind of look to see if there's some

[27:20] sort of intervention we could do.

[27:22] Or you could do 'em all, you know,

[27:24] and it may be all hands on deck.

[27:26] And I know that this is pretty broad. It's broad by design.

[27:28] 'cause frankly we just don't

[27:29] know which way this thing will go.

[27:31] We weren't expecting the record of decision

[27:32] to kind of come out this way.

[27:34] You guys have all been in water meetings.

[27:36] We've all talked about it, you know, on the hallway

[27:38] or at the DAAs here.

[27:40] And it, it was, it's, it, it went away that kind of Arizona,

[27:44] California and Nevada didn't think it was gonna go.

[27:47] And the, our upper basin colleagues were extremely

[27:50] excited it went the way it went.

[27:52] So that's kind of what we're doing.

[27:53] We're stepping front because as city council always says,

[27:57] if we are not at the table, we're on the menu

[28:00] and we don't wanna be on the menu on this one.

[28:02] Okay, thank you. I was, you know, as I'm reviewing this,

[28:06] it's just kind of a push, like let's get going,

[28:08] let's start doing something.

[28:11] And then even where it talks about exploring legal action

[28:14] and retaining attorneys, it's such a complex issue

[28:18] and very specific.

[28:20] I know certain lawyers spend a lifetime dedicated to water.

[28:24] So just at least looking at that section specifically,

[28:28] that might be a possibility.

[28:29] Potentially entering litigation, like you said.

[28:31] Yes. And, and thank you council members.

[28:34] That was a really good question. I know you were And I, yes.

[28:38] If, if, if litigation is going to be the key,

[28:41] this is coming back in front of you.

[28:43] When we go and retain, we look for things.

[28:45] We're engaging with somebody to be our champion.

[28:47] And you're absolutely right. The lawyers

[28:49] that are gonna be involved in this

[28:52] probably couldn't defend a car accident,

[28:54] but they sure as heck can defend water rights.

[28:57] It is a very specialized portion of the law

[29:00] that it's, and it's not intrinsic.

[29:02] And they have to also be good

[29:03] because usually the judges

[29:04] don't understand water law either.

[29:06] I think there's only one Supreme Court justice right now,

[29:09] justice Gorsuch.

[29:10] It's ever touched a water law case in their career.

[29:13] So it's kind of exciting and scary, isn't it? Yeah.

[29:17] But we'll see more

[29:19] of these things come back in front of us.

[29:20] We're just right now like, let's get going, let's get ready.

[29:23] You're telling, you're telling your city administrator

[29:26] and your city attorneys get on the

[29:28] stick and get us some work. Alright,

[29:30] Thank you Rodney. Thank you

[29:31] Mayor.

[29:32] Thank you Mr. Short,

[29:33] before you leave, I, I assume this is gonna probably mostly

[29:38] be a lot of discussions with our peers, a lot, lot

[29:41] of their councils

[29:42] because we don't wanna go off in a direction

[29:45] and then counterman, whatever they're trying to do, we want

[29:48] to coordinate regionally, right?

[29:49] Is that, tell me about that a little bit.

[29:51] Yeah, yeah. That thank you Mr. Ram Mayor.

[29:53] That, that's a really good question.

[29:54] And one of the things that this city council has been for,

[29:57] you know, you guys have been locked up

[29:59] and making sure that not only our peers in Yuma County,

[30:03] but ones that could be in California as well,

[30:05] that are similarly situated with water rights

[30:08] and interests in both agriculture

[30:11] and just sustainability along the river.

[30:13] I this is one you don't go out alone.

[30:16] I, I gave you that first choice about, oh,

[30:18] do we wanna file an in independent lawsuit?

[30:20] I, I, that's gonna be a really hard

[30:22] recommendation for us to make.

[30:23] It's gonna be one that we jump in with other folks and,

[30:26] and it's gonna be one that we're gonna have to give a lot

[30:29] of information so you're well informed.

[30:32] Much of it's gonna be, you know, in, in the public vote.

[30:35] It'll probably be a, a discussion

[30:36] with everybody in the public too to do that.

[30:39] We can kind of do and make the best step

[30:41] that's gonna be best for our citizens

[30:43] and the best for regionally as well.

[30:45] I mean, we, we, we have a Section five contract.

[30:49] The only other folks that have section five contracts like

[30:51] ours are entitlement holders

[30:53] that are our water districts. So,

[30:56] Very good.

[30:57] Does council have any other comments

[30:58] or questions for Mr. Short?

[31:01] Thank you very much. Okay.

[31:02] Appreciate it. Alright,

[31:04] if we have nothing else on this item,

[31:05] we'll entertain a motion to approve

[31:07] Mr. Mayor Councilor

[31:08] Smith, I move to approve MC 2026 dash 1 73.

[31:13] Second, I have a motion by council member Smith the second

[31:16] by council member Watts to approve MC 2026 dash 1 73.

[31:21] All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed nay.

[31:25] The motion carries. Alright, we're on to two

[31:29] proposed resolutions for adoption this evening.

[31:32] Does council have any conflicts or comments

[31:34] or questions on either item?

[31:38] Alright, do we have any speakers signed up for either item?

[31:41] There are no speakers.

[31:43] Very good. I'll entertain a motion for the adoption

[31:45] of the resolution consent agenda.

[31:47] Mr. Mayor, Council member Morris.

[31:49] Thank you Mayor. I move

[31:50] to adopt the resolution consent agenda as presented.

[31:54] Second, I have a motion by council member Morris,

[31:57] a second by council member Smith

[31:59] to adopt the resolution consent agenda as presented.

[32:01] Will the clerk please display the

[32:03] titles and call a rule vote

[32:06] Resolution R 2026 dash 0 45 Adopt the city

[32:11] of Yuma Emergency Operations Plan 2026

[32:14] and repeal resolution R 2019 dash 0 34

[32:20] and resolution R 2026 dash 0 46 Intent

[32:24] to create municipal improvement District number

[32:27] 1 36 Livingston Ranch, number four.

[32:31] Council member Martinez Aye. Council member Morris Aye.

[32:36] Council member Smith Aye.

[32:38] Council member Watts Aye. And Mayor Nichols. Aye.

[32:43] Thank you. Those resolutions have been adopted.

[32:46] Thank you very much. We are now on the ADOPTIN adoption

[32:49] of ordinances consent agenda where we have two

[32:52] proposed ordinances that were presented for adoption.

[32:55] However, we do need to split these apart.

[32:59] Proposed ordinance, oh, 2026 dash 0 2 5,

[33:02] which is the rezoning for in the southeast, southeast corner

[33:05] of Arabee Road and 26th Street for the, the gas station.

[33:11] The applicant wants to, to pull the

[33:19] application, but the property owner wants to continue it.

[33:22] So Mr. Symington, you wanna give us a little bit of

[33:24] Heads up?

[33:25] Yeah, yeah. Mr. Mayor, as you know,

[33:27] QT was looking at this site they, they've elected to,

[33:30] to pull this application,

[33:31] but the owner is interested in pursuing the, going

[33:34] and moving forward with the rezone.

[33:36] They think this might enhance the value of their property,

[33:38] but they want a, a week or two to look at that

[33:40] and see what those impacts are

[33:42] and then bring this back to you guys.

[33:43] The first meeting in October.

[33:45] Okay. So we need to

[33:47] continue this at the request of the owner.

[33:50] So we do have a green sheet to make that motion.

[33:52] If council has any questions, we can do questions.

[33:55] Otherwise we'll just do that motion.

[33:57] Mr. Mayor, council member Smith.

[33:58] So thank you.

[34:00] So my understanding is that the QT

[34:04] is no longer interested. They told

[34:06] Yes.

[34:07] Mr. Mayor, council member Smith? That's correct.

[34:09] I think the, the, the representative QT at the last meeting

[34:12] got the message that, that

[34:15] and he, it indicated to you

[34:16] that they needed the diesel fuel,

[34:17] the commercial diesel items to make this project viable

[34:20] and knowing that you were not going to prove that

[34:23] they elected to, to withdraw their,

[34:25] their pursuit of this, this site.

[34:28] Okay, thank you. I'd had several residents reach out

[34:32] in opposition to the semi-truck fueling,

[34:34] so I just wanna be able

[34:35] to share the correct message with them. Thank you.

[34:38] Thank you Mr. Mayor. Any council member? Morris?

[34:41] Thank you Mayor. A question for our administrator.

[34:44] Does this change anything as far as

[34:47] additional public neighborhood meetings needing to be held

[34:51] or with the change of the applicant?

[34:53] Does, does any of the prior process that occurred have

[34:57] to be redone or is it still

[35:00] continue at the same point where we were

[35:02] Mr.

[35:03] Mayor, council member Morris, I I believe

[35:06] if we continue this and then,

[35:07] and the conditions stay the same as that are proposed and,

[35:10] and what the staff has recommended

[35:12] that this could be voted on at the next council meeting and

[35:15] and approved the zoning would be approved

[35:17] with the conditions as, as outlined.

[35:19] Okay. Thank you sir. Thank, thank you mayor.

[35:21] Very good. Any other comments or questions?

[35:23] Alright, I entertain a motion

[35:26] to continue this per the green sheet.

[35:28] Mr. Mayor, Councilor Smith,

[35:30] I move that ordinance, oh 2026 dash 0 25 rezoning

[35:35] of property southeast corner of EE Road

[35:38] and the 26th street alignment be continued

[35:41] to the October 7th, 2026 regular city council meeting

[35:44] at the owner's request.

[35:46] Second, The motion by council member Smith the second

[35:49] by council member Watts to continue

[35:52] ordinance oh 20 26 0 2 5.

[35:56] All those in favor say aye.

[35:58] Aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed nay.

[36:00] And the motion carries.

[36:02] I did want to take a minute while we still have the record

[36:04] open, if there's anybody that signed up

[36:07] to speak on this item

[36:08] that we could hear them. Do we have any speakers?

[36:10] We did not. Okay. Very good.

[36:12] Alright, so that leaves one item on our adoption

[36:15] of ordinances consent agenda.

[36:17] So does council have any comments, questions,

[36:19] or conflicts to declare on that item?

[36:22] All right. Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion

[36:24] for adoption of the remainder of the motion

[36:27] ordinance consent agenda.

[36:28] Mr. Mayor. Councilor Remorse.

[36:30] Thank you, mayor. I move to, for the adoption

[36:32] of the remainder of the ordinance consent

[36:35] agenda as presented.

[36:37] Second, I have a motion by council member Morris,

[36:40] a second by council member Smith to adopt the remainder

[36:44] of the, of the ordinance consent agenda

[36:46] where the clerk please display the

[36:47] title and call the roll vote.

[36:49] Okay.

[36:52] Ordinance oh, 2026 dash 0 24, text Amendment

[36:57] Residential care Homes council member Martinez Aye.

[37:01] Council member Morris Aye. Council member Smith Aye.

[37:05] Council member Watts

[37:07] Aye.

[37:08] And Mayor Nichols. Aye. Thank you.

[37:09] That ordinance has been adopted.

[37:11] Very good. We are onto our introduction of ordinances

[37:14] where we have one proposed ordinance

[37:16] being introduced this evening.

[37:17] Council, have any conflicts, questions, or comments?

[37:21] Very good. Do we have any sign up?

[37:22] Do we have any speakers signed up for this item? No

[37:24] Speakers.

[37:25] Very good. Will you please display the

[37:26] play display, the title

[37:28] Ordinance O 2026 dash 0 26, conveyance

[37:33] of Los Palmera Subdivision Right of way

[37:35] to Yuma County. Thank you.

[37:37] Thank you very much. We are on

[37:39] to announcements and scheduling.

[37:40] Council have reports for the last oh two weeks of activity.

[37:47] Mr. Mayor, Council member Smith.

[37:48] Thank you. On September 9th,

[37:52] I was on the Jennifer Blackwell show doing our last water

[37:55] safety Wednesday of the season.

[37:58] But the message remains all year to keep your family safe

[38:01] around water as we work

[38:03] to prevent drownings in our community.

[38:05] All year on the 11th, along with Mayor Nichols,

[38:09] we did the stair climb at the Pancras building,

[38:14] climbed 110 stairs along with many

[38:16] of our first responders in the community,

[38:19] and then went

[38:20] to the nine 11 Remembrance ceremony at Fire Station one

[38:23] along I think most of council, if not all council was there.

[38:28] 25 years is hard to believe,

[38:31] but it was a beautiful memorial service to

[38:36] remember not only the victims,

[38:38] but honor the courage of all of our first responders.

[38:42] On the 12th I attended the Humane Society Furball, along

[38:46] with several members of our council in Mayor Nichols.

[38:49] And on the 12th, the same day that morning, I went

[38:53] to the Chamber of Commerce,

[38:56] their big event at the Civic Center

[38:58] and did a CPR presentation and demonstration

[39:02] and talked about water safety again

[39:04] with people in our community.

[39:05] And that is the end of my report.

[39:07] Very good. Anyone else? Mr. Mayor? Councilor Watts.

[39:11] Thank you. On the well, September 10th,

[39:16] I attended the Yuma Coalition to End Homelessness.

[39:19] They will be having a conference that they do

[39:22] that they do annually on November 18th.

[39:25] And what's gonna be interesting for that're going to have a

[39:29] homeless simulation activity.

[39:30] So it should be interesting.

[39:33] On the 11th, I also attended the nine 11 Remembrance,

[39:38] the 12th as mentioned, the Fur Ball

[39:42] that was a fundraiser for the Humane Society.

[39:45] On the 15th, I attended the Dean Circle

[39:49] for NAU at Sunkist, and this is their first meeting.

[39:53] It, it involved the NAU College of Nursing,

[39:57] the dean administration staff instructors,

[40:01] and there was leaders in the community,

[40:03] nursing and non-nursing.

[40:04] And the goal is to advance NAU College of Nursing

[40:09] Education here in Yuma.

[40:10] So it's, we wanna train our nurses here in Yuma

[40:13] and keep them here in Yuma.

[40:16] Also today I met with Alyssa

[40:18] to talk about the heat preparedness for the city of Yuma.

[40:22] We'll have more information coming towards the end

[40:25] of the year, and I'm looking forward to the heat map

[40:28] for Yuma that is in development.

[40:30] And that concludes my activities. Thank you.

[40:32] Thank you. Councillor Morse.

[40:34] Thank you, mayor. Okay, starting on the ninth,

[40:39] I attended the Residential

[40:42] Residential Advisory Board meeting.

[40:45] And so this is for, for building codes.

[40:48] And we reviewed a couple of potential concerns

[40:52] that have come up in the construction industry locally

[40:55] and looking at some potential amendments to the code that

[41:01] may or may not be coming to the council soon

[41:04] to be presented for adoption.

[41:06] And on the 11th, along with all of council mayor,

[41:11] attended the, the remembrance ceremony

[41:12] for nine 11 at fire station one.

[41:15] Great, great service there.

[41:17] And then today attended the

[41:20] Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation meeting

[41:24] where we had an update on some of our collaboration

[41:27] that we have had occurring with our neighbors in Mexico

[41:31] and how some of that has been progressing.

[41:34] And earlier today, as part of a subcommittee of GYDC

[41:40] had a meeting on the Greater Yuma Talent Alliance committee

[41:43] where we're working on some new things with GYDC

[41:48] and to share a little bit of the, of that, what we're hoping

[41:51] to do is put together a regional resource

[41:56] for companies here locally in Yuma

[41:58] and throughout the greater Yuma area that are gonna,

[42:01] that will allow companies

[42:04] and organizations to attract talent from outside of Yuma.

[42:09] And the idea is a website that that could be shared

[42:13] for recruitment efforts that a person could go in and,

[42:16] and look up where they're coming from and Yuma

[42:19] and make comparisons as to what the cost of living is,

[42:23] what the comparables are, a lot of the amenities

[42:26] that we have throughout the region.

[42:29] And along with that, creating a toolkit that would

[42:33] be very specific to recruitment efforts on the type

[42:36] of golf courses we have, hiking trails

[42:39] and really become a regional tool to help attract a lot

[42:43] of the talent that Yuma deserves.

[42:46] And that Mr. Mayor concludes my report. Thank you.

[42:49] Very good,

[42:51] Mr.

[42:52] Mayor. Councilman Martinez. Thank you, sir.

[42:54] As with the other council members, I attended the

[42:56] nine 11 memorial service

[42:58] that was our generation's Pearl Harbor.

[43:01] And it's, it is very, it's always a, an emotional time.

[43:05] 'cause we all remember when

[43:06] and where we, where we were when,

[43:08] when we heard about this attack

[43:10] and we had the opportunity,

[43:11] many Americans joined the military

[43:13] and supported in, in defense of this great country of ours,

[43:16] I was able to assist in training soldiers to go down range.

[43:21] And then I was fortunate enough to go and,

[43:22] and actually get engaged myself in, in Iraq.

[43:26] So it's always an honor, it's always emotional.

[43:29] On the 14th, I attended the victim rights committee meeting

[43:33] where we discussed the homicide vigil

[43:35] and the, the community is invited.

[43:37] It's homicides not only affect the, the family,

[43:40] but also the, the first responders, the law enforcement

[43:43] that have to investigate the crimes, the county attorneys

[43:45] that have to prosecute it.

[43:47] So we offer this vigil as a, as a way to help heal some

[43:52] of the, some of the wounds that they'll never be

[43:54] healed and never forget.

[43:56] But we offer some resources

[43:57] and I've gave the counsel some swag bags

[44:00] and the personal invitation to attend,

[44:03] but the public is also invited.

[44:07] I was out in the hallway Monday or Tuesday

[44:10] and I was approached by a citizen

[44:12] and he asked why our flag has a gold fringe around it.

[44:16] And we, we discussed it for a second.

[44:17] I said, I don't know, he didn't know either.

[44:19] He wasn't sure what it was all about.

[44:21] I said I would get back to him. So I hope he is watching.

[44:24] The gold fringe is a formal flag.

[44:26] The, the United States Army adopted in 1895.

[44:29] It doesn't affect the, the flag code

[44:31] because the fringe doesn't touch the flag

[44:33] in or outside of it.

[44:34] So it is appropriate in formal settings to have a,

[44:38] the United States flag with code fringe.

[44:40] So I thought that was pretty cool that he stopped to ask

[44:42] and I, I, I told him I'd, I'd explain it

[44:44] and I hope he is watching.

[44:46] Also. One last thing, Jamal's my wife's birthday.

[44:49] I hope she's watching, I can't tell you

[44:52] what anniversary it is for her 29th birthday,

[44:55] but it, it is an anniversary of it.

[44:56] So happy birthday and thank you Mr. Mayor. Thank

[44:59] You.

[45:01] I guess that just leaves me, right?

[45:03] So on the eighth

[45:07] I attended the Elevate Southwest Board meeting

[45:10] where we went over the success of the Moonshot

[45:15] Pitch competition

[45:16] and looked forward to our, our next competition

[45:19] that should be announced here in the next next few weeks.

[45:22] Those are great opportunities for us to showcase,

[45:26] showcase our local talent

[45:29] that are being ingenu, they're being creative

[45:32] and really looking for answers to technical answers.

[45:36] Elevate Southwest focuses on businesses being created

[45:39] and that are more of STEM focused.

[45:42] And so those are kind of interesting from my perspective.

[45:46] We also went over the budget.

[45:48] Currently there is not a lot of funding,

[45:51] but the, the tenants that do occupy the innovation hub

[45:56] as it sits, do pay for the operation of the hub.

[46:00] So our director and staff right now are all volunteering.

[46:04] They are very passionate about the, the activity

[46:08] and about the effort.

[46:10] And so while, you know, everyone likes to get paid,

[46:13] that's not their motivation.

[46:15] And so they're, they're sticking around until,

[46:17] and we're talking about other ways

[46:18] to get some private dollars into help.

[46:20] The, the Elevate Southwest effort on the ninth,

[46:24] I attended virtually the Arizona Space Commission.

[46:27] Our strategic plan is coming together quite well.

[46:31] We will be presenting that here to the state legislature,

[46:36] I believe in early November in, in time for

[46:40] the next session and legislative session

[46:43] coming up next year.

[46:45] And Arizona has

[46:49] struck a very strong position on where we like to see our,

[46:54] our aerospace industry go in the next 20, 30 years.

[46:59] And Yuma and Sierra Vista are both

[47:02] with their spaceport opportunities, both

[47:06] represented strongly in those positions.

[47:07] Sierra Vista has a,

[47:09] essentially the catching side of a spaceport.

[47:12] They do not launch, they just receive

[47:15] and we don't really have the receiving option.

[47:17] So from a statewide system and asset, we work extremely well

[47:21] and have had several conversations with Sierra Vista to make

[47:25] that a complete system here in the state of Arizona.

[47:30] And later that day, I met with the cons from Mexico Cons va,

[47:36] and we talked about a lot of events coming up,

[47:38] including the bike ride, the international bike ride,

[47:42] and the Mexican Independence Day celebration.

[47:45] That was yesterday while we were here in chambers.

[47:50] So we continually have a, a strong relationship with them

[47:53] as things continue to move forward.

[47:56] On the 10th, I attended Good Morning Yuma,

[47:58] where they recognized the new director

[48:01] for Arizona Western College Tika, Dr.

[48:05] Dewan had, it was a very well attended event out at a WC

[48:10] and on the 11th I did attend or attend.

[48:13] I, it wasn't attending,

[48:15] it was actually walking all, all those stairs.

[48:20] That was a good event.

[48:21] I didn't feel it till two or three days later,

[48:23] but felt it anyway.

[48:26] And as well as that evening attended the Chamber mega mixer,

[48:30] which I read a proclamation for Patriot Day and,

[48:32] and in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of nine 11.

[48:38] All right, with that, we are on to request council request

[48:41] for future agenda items

[48:45] and I don't see a need for additional scheduling.

[48:49] So we're on summary of current events

[48:50] by our city administrator, Mr. Symington.

[48:52] Thank you Mr. Mayor. I've got a couple things tonight.

[48:54] The U March Center is gonna be kicking off.

[48:56] New exhibit has several artists there at the, the,

[48:59] it's a free open house this Friday from six to 8:00 PM

[49:04] so there'll be hor d'oeuvres there and, and a cash cash bar.

[49:08] Please get out there and check out the, the artwork.

[49:11] And we're kicking off our event season on October 3rd.

[49:13] Tacos and toons, again is at the stadium

[49:16] that opens up at three o'clock to 11 o'clock.

[49:20] A lot of vendors out there, a lot of taco vendors out there,

[49:22] merchandise and a lot of great music.

[49:25] So please and that's a free, free event to attend.

[49:27] And I do wanna let let everybody know Aqua Vivo is

[49:30] back up on AP PS Power.

[49:31] We were able to transition

[49:32] to a PS power earlier this morning.

[49:34] So still got some work to do to make some other repairs,

[49:37] but we are back up in

[49:39] and running on, on normal power. Very good.

[49:41] Thank you Mr. Mayor. That's great news.

[49:42] Now I do need a backup to the, my report since

[49:47] I was unaware that Councilman Martinez's wife

[49:50] and my wife share the same birthday, so happy birthday

[49:53] to my wife tomorrow.

[49:54] Two, I don't know what what that means,

[49:58] but happy birthday to both of them.

[50:00] I look forward to celebrating those for the,

[50:02] I I think those are birthday weeks or months.

[50:05] I can't remember, whatever. Yeah, very good.

[50:09] Alright, we're on to call to the public.

[50:11] How many speakers do we have signed up for this evening? I

[50:13] Have four speakers. Please

[50:14] Call the first speaker Commander, Matthew Evans, MCAS.

[50:18] Yuma,

[50:29] It's my first time. Do I just start going here?

[50:31] You need to state your name and your address

[50:33] and office address is just as fine as a personal address.

[50:35] Sounds great. So Commander Matthew Evans Marine

[50:38] Corps Air Station, Yuma.

[50:40] I'll give that as my address for now. Okay. Alright.

[50:41] Alright. Good evening.

[50:43] Council members, members of the community, I'm here

[50:46] to provide information about our upcoming testing.

[50:49] The, the Marine Corps is conducting on groundwater for per

[50:54] and polyflor alcohol substances, commonly known as PFAS.

[50:58] The main source of military related PFAS releases

[51:01] were from firefighting foam previously used in our

[51:04] lifesaving e equipment.

[51:06] Our testing effort has the full cooperation of the U-S-E-P-A

[51:09] as well as state of Arizona Environmental

[51:11] and Public Health Services.

[51:13] And we've been doing this testing since 2023.

[51:16] In 2023, the Navy Marine Corps

[51:18] began monitoring PAS levels in the groundwater in, in

[51:21] and around Mc a huma.

[51:23] Our initial round of drinking water well testing in 2023

[51:26] included five public wells, all of which were

[51:29] below the Department of Wars Interim action levels in 2024.

[51:34] As you may know, the EPA reduced the level level

[51:36] for certain PFAS in public drinking water.

[51:40] And the Department of War has now lowered our interim action

[51:44] levels for private drinking water wells.

[51:47] Additionally, groundwater moves over time, so there's need

[51:49] to evaluate changes in the PFAS in the groundwater

[51:53] as it continues to flow down gradient in a response.

[51:57] We are conducting a second round of drinking water testing

[52:01] this year across a slightly larger sampling radius than the

[52:05] last time the Navy Marine Corps are requesting permission

[52:08] from property owners within the sampling radius

[52:10] to test their private drinking water wells.

[52:13] Notifications have already been sent

[52:14] to property owners within the area.

[52:17] While our goal is to notify all property owners

[52:20] and the sampling radius in case we, there's a,

[52:23] well we are not aware of, only properties

[52:25] with drinking water wells within

[52:27] that radius are eligible for the program.

[52:30] Sampling will be conducted from September 30th

[52:34] through October 7th

[52:35] and is conducted at no cost to the owners.

[52:38] If PFAS is detected then above the action levels,

[52:42] then we will work to discuss enduring solutions

[52:45] that would reduce the property owner's continued exposure.

[52:50] Eligible property owners may schedule an appointment.

[52:51] They have a phone number here, 1-800-THROUGH 7 4 7 8 4 3.

[52:55] There's also a website best found by searching Yuma PFAS and

[53:00] and should be the first thing that shows up.

[53:02] We're also hosting an open house September 29th from five

[53:06] to 7:00 PM at the Civic Center.

[53:08] And we invite all public interested as well

[53:11] as city leadership to attend,

[53:12] to learn about our ongoing efforts to be good stewards

[53:15] of the environment and our drinking water.

[53:17] Our representatives of the Navy Marine Corps EPA

[53:21] Arizona State Agencies will be there to answer questions

[53:23] and we appreciate the city's partnership

[53:26] and the community's partner participation

[53:28] as we carry out this work. Thank you very much.

[53:31] Thank you very much. Commander Evans,

[53:35] Pedro Suna

[53:42] I,

[53:48] My name is Pedro Una.

[53:50] It's 4 0 5 South 16th Avenue, Arizona 85 3 6 4.

[53:54] I just submitted an an official request for an investigation

[53:58] for Butler states in regards to conflict

[54:02] of interest within Mr. Jonathan Lyons right behind me

[54:05] as well with Douglas Nichols and Danette Garcia Nichols.

[54:09] Everybody in the planning

[54:10] and zoning commissions needs

[54:11] to be actually requesting a formal investigation on it

[54:15] for conflict of interest and gift clause as well.

[54:18] If you can look it up.

[54:20] I also have the proofs

[54:21] and I've submitted this information

[54:22] to four different agencies.

[54:24] I have not received any response, but it's okay.

[54:26] From the pa from the previous one. That's it.

[54:32] Irma, Felix,

[54:40] Good evening, Irma, Felix, 9 1 5 South eighth Avenue.

[54:44] My name is Irma Felix. I'm speaking today

[54:46] as a concerned citizen of Yuma

[54:47] to address critical oversight gaps

[54:49] and civic transparency in our community.

[54:52] Over the past year, throughout involvement

[54:54] with the Carver PTO

[54:55] and local district policy,

[54:56] severe systemic issues were uncovered,

[54:58] including financial mismanagement from the prior Carver PTO

[55:03] non-compliance with required title one parent involvement

[55:07] structures and district acknowledged financial

[55:09] miscalculations totaling near $2 million.

[55:12] When concerns were raised locally,

[55:13] administrative accountability was repeatedly deflected.

[55:17] When citizens attempt to report these systemic failures

[55:21] through municipal platforms,

[55:22] the response is often a simple disclaim of jurisdiction.

[55:25] While I acknowledge the formal jurisdiction separation

[55:29] between city government, school boards,

[55:31] and county judicial system,

[55:33] elected leadership cannot remain completely detached from

[55:36] severe governance breakdowns affecting our children tax

[55:39] dollars and indigent citizens needing competent legal

[55:42] representation, it is essential

[55:45] that these gaps are looked at.

[55:47] I'm thankful that Mr. Adams has taken the initiative

[55:49] and mobilizing community led transparency,

[55:51] transparency initiatives

[55:53] through the Human Transparency Club.

[55:55] It is vital that we establish school board

[55:57] and policy oversight, investigating district compliance,

[56:01] ensuring federal and local funding,

[56:03] directly support classroom educators and students,

[56:05] and verifying that special needs students are

[56:08] protected from discrimination.

[56:09] It is also imperative to form a local court watch, counsel

[56:13] for Judicial Accountability

[56:14] to monitor court appointed legal representation for citizens

[56:18] and ensure for access to justice.

[56:20] I thank Mr. Adams again

[56:22] for supporting citizen led initiatives

[56:23] that foster community improvement and accountability.

[56:27] I invite all concerned citizens

[56:28] and residents to join the YTC in advocating for compliance,

[56:32] transparency, and integrity across all public institutions

[56:35] serving our city.

[56:37] Thank you, Carlos Adams.

[56:53] Carlos Adams, 1410 East Palo Street.

[56:58] This Tuesday, September 22nd,

[57:00] I will be finalizing two proposals

[57:02] that I believe deserve serious consideration

[57:05] by our city council and our community.

[57:07] Number one, a city charter amendment addressing elected

[57:10] officials doing a private business

[57:12] with the city while holding office.

[57:13] Number two, the framework

[57:15] for an independent ethics commission.

[57:17] The principle behind the charter amendment is simple.

[57:20] If you are elected to serve the city,

[57:22] your public position should not create private business

[57:24] opportunities with the same city you represent.

[57:31] Sorry. Elected officials have

[57:36] access to relationships, information, influence,

[57:39] and decision makers that ordinary businesses do not

[57:43] even when conduct, even when conduct may technically comply

[57:46] with existing rules, that situation can create serious

[57:50] conflicts of interest and undermine public confidence.

[57:54] I will be emailing every member of the city council,

[57:57] the finalized charter amendment

[57:58] and Ethics Commission framework.

[58:01] I expect a response from each of you, support it, oppose it,

[58:05] propose changes, or explain your position publicly.

[58:08] If the council does not want to advance these reforms,

[58:11] then I'm prepared to use the lawful citizen initiative

[58:14] process, collect the required signatures,

[58:17] and take the question directly to the human voters.

[58:20] Either way, this issue is going

[58:21] to receive public discussion.

[58:23] Ethics should not depend on who holds office.

[58:28] The rule should protect taxpayers, elected officials,

[58:31] city employees, businesses, and the public.

[58:34] Equally, I want to bring ethics back to Yuma

[58:37] and I need your help to get there.

[58:39] So let's bring ethics back together.

[58:44] And that's all I had to say.

[58:48] That's our last speaker. Thank you very much.

[58:51] We do not have a need for an executive session. Not tonight.

[58:55] No, thank you. Very good. We've concluded our business

[58:57] so we are adjourned.

2026 09 16 Council Meeting

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